Review: The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

Cyril Avery is not a real Avery or at least that’s what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn’t a real Avery, then who is he?

Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead.

At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from – and over his three score years and ten, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country and much more.

In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit.

I knew I had to read The Heart’s Invisible Furieswhen I saw it on so many “Best of 2017” lists. The endorsement of several of my favorite bloggers who often have tastes similar to my was enough to convince me to insert this 582 page book smack into the middle of my already jam-packed reading schedule. A few of those include Renee at It’s Book Talk, Sarah at Sarah’s Book Shelves, and Susie at Novel Visits. I’m happy say I do not regret for one moment the fews days following that I felt compelled to read and review an entire book in the same day just to stay on schedule. This book proved to be one of the best, if not THE best that I’ve ever read.

In addition to the above, there are many reviews out there so I’m going to focus mostly on my experience with the book and what I felt were the highlights. I agree with the sentiments of so many others in repeating that the story was rich, unique, beautifully written and full of well-drawn characters to love (or not). Even in the lightest moments in this book, there was a heaviness in my heart that may have dissipated but never completely went away.

The Heart’s Invisible Furies if full of heartbreak, longing, and even humor – one of the most emotive books I’ve ever read. From the very beginning, where Cyril’s unwed, teenage mother is cast out of her church and her home, I was so drawn in that I never wanted to put this book down. It was a page-turner for sure, but not for the reasons one would normally think. Rather than flipping through at the edge of my seat because I couldn’t wait to see what happens next, I found myself simply unable to leave Cyril. I felt very connected to his character. I needed to see him through.

This book takes a hard look at many social issues from what is, at best the intolerance of and at worst, the abuse of power of the Catholic Church in Ireland to the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1980’s New York City. The unbelievable difficulty/impossibility of living openly as a gay man in Ireland in times considered “modern” where one of the things I found most heartbreaking.

The Heart’s Invisible Furies could also be primer on how to write all manner of highly nuanced family dynamics. There are too many examples to name but I was most struck by the complete rejection faced by many of the characters due to pretty much anything having to do with sex – if you had it, if you were thinking about having it, if you wanted to have it with the “wrong sort” of person, even if you were abused, you faced immeasurable pain and rejection from the very people you depended on most for love and support. The weight of shame was crushing. I’m gutted to think that in many parts of the world, including here in the U.S., there are still people who are unable to live openly without fear of rejection and violence.

I was amazed at the way John Boyne was able to weave together historically accurate renderings of the times with a series of unlikely events and coincidences in a way that felt absolutely authentic. Not once did I scoff at any of the improbabilities in the story. This, for me, is one of the hallmarks of a true classic.

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So very glad to hear this one was a hit with you too – I loved this book and Cyril Avery now has a small corner of my heart – like you I found it an authentic read despite the obvious links to a time and place – one of my favourite books not just of 2017 but of the last few years.

I’m so happy that you loved The Hearts Invisible Furies, Ann Marie. I agree that it’s about as close to perfection as a book can be. It really left me wondering how I had possibly missed John Boyne all these years. At least you’ve read one other! Thanks so much for the shout out.

Thanks, Susie! I’m so grateful to have found this book. You’re right – sheer perfection! In truth I didn’t recall that he was the author of The House of Special Purpose until I looked his bio. Which was after I began The Heart’s… That book was quite different but still very good.

Thanks for the shout out Ann Marie! I’m SO thrilled you loved this and I completely agree with your review. I love that you emphasized the perfection of Boyne’s writing when it came to family dynamics, I mean it’s a masterclass of writing from beginning to end! I read this in Aug and I still think about Cyril…he’s a character that will forever stay with me. This is going to be a re-read for sure. This book was such a gem!

I think you would definitely enjoy The Boy in the Striped Pajamas; it’s why I picked up Heart’s Invisible Furies! Oh, this book…why do I choose these? HA! Don’t get me wrong, it was so, SO, good; I just fell completely in love with Cyril and his struggles. What a great review!

What a powerful review, Ann Marie! I am sad to admit, this is the first review of this book I’ve had a chance to read. I have heard great things at a distance, true. This is the first time I’ve been so close to the reviewer. You have completely hooked me! I love a good character study, and it sounds like Boyne does not falter. How does this compare to The House of Special Purpose? It seems like Boyne has a firm grip on his history with all these settings…

Thanks, Jackie! This book is a beautiful character study. I must admit that I read The House of Special Purpose a few years ago so it’s difficult to make a comparison. I don’t recall it being as touching as this book and I believe it was more plot driven but the writing was stellar in that book as well.

I don’t generally rank my yearly favorites, but this was #2. I love how you cut to the core of the novel with the labeling about sex. You’re exactly right- you were judged about it.

I’d highly recommend Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It is a small book so I’d recommend reading in one sitting. Also, because it moves quickly and when it’s over you will be sobbing. Cannot remember the last time a book made me cry that hard so, you’ll want to go through it in one day. Also, tissues. Lots of tissues.

I’m definitely going to read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas very soon. Since I posted my review of The Heart’s so many of my trusted reader friends have encouraged me to read it that I must find a way to work it in.

If The Hearts’s was your #2, I’m heading over to your blog now to see your #1!

I still have about 100 pages to go, but I can already tell that you hit the nail on the head with this one. The plot isn’t exactly fast-paced or action packed, but you are so immersed in these character’s lives that you keep turning that page. I find this book incredibly witty, and have found myself laughing out loud on a few occasions.